Vanuatu daily news digest | 27 August 2014

The most interesting news today was provided in the Toktok Blong Ekonomi on Radio Vanuatu at 6.45 am in which Vanua’aku Pati President Natapei explained the difficulties confronting the VP with the party splits which have taken place and which are now being overcome with the Nationalists’ Reconciliation. Since this plan involves leaders who seem determined to make re-unification work – whilst learning from their own mistakes and each others’ which have all become well-known – the success of the strategy seems certain. Their sincerity is palpable.

The reconciliation of the Vanua’aku Pati (VP) and Melanesian Progressive Party (MPP) is well covered in today’s Daily Post following a ceremony on Monday evening. Strong Independence fighter, Barak Sope, Chairman of MPP, was pleased to bring an end to the differences of 26 years, declaring "We are now one party [again]" to the participants at the Malfatumauri nakamal two days ago.

Lands Minister Regenvanu yesterday signed an agreement for a new subdivision at Ohlen to accommodate those families which are needing to be re-housed because they have previously been permitted to settle in the zone which should be kept free of human habitation. Their exclusion from this zone is for purposes associated with protection of the Port Vila water supply. New strong rules apply as to what is permitted in some three different protection zones.

Foreign Minister Kilman, who formed part of PM Natuman’s delegation to China last week, has continued overseas on visit to other Asian countries in which Vanuatu maintains an interest. He sees the region offering "huge opportunities for trade, investment and tourism" and mentioned specifically ASEAN, Japan and Korea and Vietnam.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development – UNCTAD – Secretary General, Mukhisa Kituyi is to visit Vanuatu later this week according to Post. This is because of this country’s graduation from Least Developed Country status, expected in 2017. He will also attend a workshop of the Vanuatu National Green Export Review which is organized by UNCTAD to embrace the green export products such as coconut, cocoa and sandalwood. He will meet ministers and the PM.